The Rev. Daniel Dreher prefaced that this might be an awkward quote, but it was somehow fitting as well.

“When Jesus died, the Earth shook,” said the priest-in-residence of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, “and when Monsignor Tash passed this (Monday) morning, it thundered and began to rain.”

Monsignor Joseph Tash, the only pastor in St. Thomas’ 32-year history, died Monday. He was 77. Masses, because of expected large crowds, are scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Thursday. Funeral liturgy is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday. All services are at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter St.

Tash was a native of New England, but spent a half-century in Amarillo. He served as a priest and hospital chaplain and on numerous civic boards. He was twice chairman of Amarillo’s United Way campaign.

An event to honor his 50 years of service to St. Thomas and the city was scheduled for Sunday, but Tash’s health forced postponement. He was ordained into the priesthood on May 25, 1962. His funeral liturgy is scheduled for Friday, the 50-year anniversary of his ordination.

“We thought that day was appropriate,” said Bishop Patrick Zurek of the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. “We don’t have the privilege of celebrating the way he intended, but we celebrate in a unique way as he celebrates with Christ, the High Priest, in his new life in heaven. We can gather, celebrate his 50 years, say farewell and give thanks to God for his ministry that we never tied down to a single ministry. His vision was always beyond the parish.”

Tash taught at St. Mary’s School for five years until he was offered the chaplain’s position at St. Anthony’s Hospital in 1968. Tash continued as chaplain while helping found St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church as pastor in 1980. He held both positions for the next 13 years before resigning from the chaplaincy post. He had for the last 32 years been the pastor of St. Thomas.

“Monsignor Tash always put the interest of the community, both the community of Amarillo, Texas, and the St. Thomas parish, above everything else,” said Blaine Westlake, a deacon for 16 years at St. Thomas. “That’s from a spiritual perspective and a lay person perspective, be it financially or spiritually. That was his forte, it really was. He was a mover and shaker, you might say.”

In addition to twice leading Amarillo’s United Way campaigns, he was a past chairman of the March of Dimes. He was also on the boards of the St. Anthony’s Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Catholic Family Service, the Downtown Women’s Center, the Amarillo Kidney Foundation, the Amarillo Heart Association and the Amarillo Symphony.

He helped raise millions of dollars for projects in the city. His commitment to the betterment of Amarillo transcended religious denominations.

“He was one of the most cooperative fellows I ever met in my life. Whatever was going on in a civic or religious way in this city, you could count on him to be a part of it, a very affirming part of it,” said Dr. Winfred Moore, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church.

First Baptist’s pastor from 1959 to 1989, Moore said it was hard for Tash to separate the religious from the civic causes.

“To him, it all went together,” he said. “I’ve never been in any place where the churches worked so well together as Amarillo, Texas, and he was a big part of that. If he thought it was the right thing to do, he was involved in it. He was one of the finest men with more heart for Amarillo than anybody could ever have. He had a great sense of humor, and we teased each other unmercifully. He was a great citizen, and we’ll all miss him something awful.”

Dreher worked closely with Tash, and lived with him for about a year. He called Tash “the most well-known man in Amarillo.”

“He had the most exuberant personality and was a man of great perfection,” he said. “By that, I mean it was from his sheer appearance to the elegant way he spoke to the way he cared for people. It was only first class.

“He loved everybody. He thought in a sense he saw Jesus in every single person. He would hurry to greet you and it didn’t matter who you were. Every time he met someone it was like an old friend coming back to see him.”

One of the projects he helped raise funds for was Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospice at 600 N. Tyler St.. It was there that Tash spent the last hours of his life.

“He was always the one to say that every patient and every family should get a new rose, that it was a sign of a new life and a new beginning,” Dreher said. “And this (Monday) morning, Monsignor Tash got his rose.”

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I had the privilege of working with Fr Tash when it was just St. Anthony's Hospital and also enjoyed our 10+ years as bowling teammates where Fr. Tash was the team captain of our team. He always greeted me with a hug. He was and is a very kind soul and was very competitive bowler. I would like to say he kept up with me but I guess that I would be stretching the truth. Just would like to say that the City of Amarillo has lost a very important, kind, generous, gentleman and pastor. God Bless You Monsignor Tash. May your blessings continue to shine.

Walking down the hall at St. Mary's, back in the early 1980's, in his robes, practically running from one place to another as he was always doing something, meeting with someone, or busy, even on Sunday. That picture with this story, that smile, I've seen that many times.

I cannot be there for the mass, I live too far away. But I'll light a candle and smile, because if there's anything to be organized in heaven, we all know that Father Tash is going to be right there doing it.

another prominent personin amarillo dies after surgery, if you need surgery dont get it done in amarillo, a bunch of quacks in this town, president of AC, Manny Perez, now tash, and these are the ones who are prominent, many many more deaths from the hack jobs in this town who call themselves doctors, how do you die after back surgery?

I'm so sorry to know Monsignor Tash is gone. But he's in Glory now, and has heard the words, "well done, good and faithful servant." Father God bless the family and the parish, and give comfort at this time.
What a good man.

I knew Father Tash from when I was a Young Girl. We worked with him through our CCD class. He was always very kind and thoughtful of the young kids.
He will be greatly missed by many. Rest Well Sweet Friend and Tell Jesus hello for me.

Amarillo lost one of its true leaders. Fr. Tash wasn't born here, he came to Amarillo and he stayed. Not because it was where his family or his family's money is, but because he saw the true vision of Amarillo can be. RIP, Fr. Tash and thank you.